Quote:“I’m not the most politically correct person, if I’m politically correct at all, but I try to help where I can,” said Rock (real name: Robert James Ritchie), who performs Tuesday at Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre with Sheryl Crow.

The help Rock hopes to provide is on behalf of “real music.” It’s a quest inspired by his contempt for shallow pop-music in general and “American Idol” in particular.

“I feel very strongly about it,” said Rock, who in March denounced Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler for being an “Idol” judge.

“There are 30 million people in America who watch ‘Idol.’ But, man, there are 270 million people who don’t watch it, and I’m one of them. I wish music would come back to where it’s not manufactured like it is now. The truly great artists rise to the top. (With ‘Idol) performers are just thrown out there to be the flavor of the moment.”

Rock, who turned 40 on Jan. 17, sighed.

“We might miss the (musical) best these kids have to offer by not allowing them to take their time to develop,” he lamented. “We live in such a ‘hit it quick!’ world. And people like me (can’t stand it). If you want to play guitar or sing, practice, practice, practice.”